As the picture shows, McKenna met Ashley during last season's campaign and although it reveals happier times at the club, he said that he might have to think wisely before venturing to watch in the current climate.

The 37-year-old said: "I think I'm going to have to get a Newcastle shirt with 'I'm not Mike' on the back.

"I never used to mind looking like Mike Ashley - but after all this abuse, I've changed my mind!"

In March, Italian referee Mauro Bergonzi was sent into police hiding after thugs attacked someone he looked like.

Bergonzi had awarded two contentious penalties during Napoli's 3-1 win over Juventus in October.

Cesare Gussoni, head of the country's referees' association, said: "He was a bank manager, poor thing, and he managed to reveal this at the end to save himself from more blows.

"On the advice of the police, the referee was forced to live under protection and went to another province for two weeks."